Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has called on the club’s owners to be ruthless and remove the “s*** players” from Old Trafford.
The former footballer believes the club needs the same brutal approach that saw sporting director Dan Ashworth leave after just five months.
Ashworth’s sudden exit, which was confirmed on Sunday, was framed as a mutual decision by the club, but Ferdinand sees this as a sign of necessary tough action.
Ashworth, who was poached from Newcastle United, left after a short stint during a transitional period at the club.
On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand did not mince words when discussing the current state of the team.
He called for Manchester United to display the same ruthlessness on the pitch by getting rid of players who are simply not good enough.
“Be brutal with them and get them the f*** out, quick, ASAP,” he urged, emphasizing that it’s crucial for the club to be decisive with underperforming players. Fans, according to Ferdinand, could easily point out who these players are.
He believes that a long-term solution for the club’s struggles lies in removing these individuals swiftly, even if this process may be complicated due to player contracts and relationships within the squad.
Manchester United’s Struggles Continue
Despite high hopes, Manchester United’s performance this season has been dismal, and Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.
Following this disappointing result, the club’s management chose to part ways with manager Erik ten Hag, just months into the current season, after deciding to retain him despite a poor league campaign last year.
Ruben Amorim’s Challenging Start
In the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking, former Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim took over, but his reign has not been smooth.
His side managed just four points from their first two league games, with a tough 3-2 loss to Forest being a low point.
Amorim reflected on the difficult match, noting the poor start, followed by moments of improved play, but ultimately insufficient quality in key situations.
“We have to continue,” Amorim said. “We are improving in some aspects, but we must win to help improve the team. This is a long journey, and we have to pay attention to every detail as we progress.”